Revolutionary Movement Tupamaro

The Revolutionary Movement Tupamaro (MRT) is a communist political party in Venezuela which was founded in 1992. The MRT had its roots with the Uruguayan Tupamaros, many of whom settled in the 23 de Enero neighborhood of Caracas during the Uruguayan government's crackdown on guerrilla factions. The Tupamaros of Venezuela, like their forefathers, chose their name in honor of Tupac Amaru, the Inca leader who led an unsuccessful rebellion against Spain in 1572. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Tupamaros gained experience as vigilantes during a period of rising crime, and they were officially founded as a political movement in 1992. As the Tupamaros needed resources and the imprisoned socialist army officer Hugo Chavez needed protection, the Tupamaros allied themselves with Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement. During the 2000s, the Tupamaros operated death squads in the 23 de Enero district with the goal of killing thieves, muggers, and drug dealers after warning them thrice, and they also administered social programs such as afterschool programs, childcare programs, puppet shows, drug rehabilitation centers, and sports programs. The group was an ally of the ELN in Colombia, and it was also said to have ties to FARC.